The late President John F. Kennedy’s inaugural address inspired adults to see the importance of civic engagement. His historic words, “Ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country,” challenged every one of us to get involve in our democracy. We the people of Oak Ridge, Anderson County, State of Tennessee, and of these United States must contribute in some way for the public good of our democracy.

It starts with voting. The electoral exercise is the pathway to democracy. We, the people, elect officials (local, state, and national) to represent us in the legislative process for the greater good.

IF you care about education, economic opportunity, criminal justice, health care, and environmental and climate justice; THEN exercise your right to vote.

The Oak Ridge-Anderson County NAACP Branch urges you not to wait for 2020 to come, then think about voting. We want you to do it now.

If you are not registered to vote, then get registered. If you are registered to vote, then verify that you have not been purged from the voter registration. These two actions be performed online on the State of Tennessee, Voter Registration Information Lookup (tnmap.tn.gov/voterlookup) website.

Voting is a right, exercise it. What better example of civic responsibility than voter participation for your city, county, state, and country?